On top of that, he was awarded a performance-related bonus of £1.6m - a 34% increase on the previous year's figure.

Incentives

The figure is in line with the company's performance, with annual results last month showing a 36% rise in underlying profit to £8.43bn.

Although once write-downs in the value of Vodafone assets - mostly overpriced foreign acquisitions - are taken into account, the company made a loss of £6.2bn.

In addition to its pay and pension scheme, Vodafone runs a long-term incentive plan which pays shares to executives based on the value of the company's share price compared to those of its competitors.

Based on Vodafone's current share price, Sir Christopher stands to pocket around £380,000 when he cashes in the shares next year.

New boss

Meanwhile, it has emerged that Sir Christopher's replacement, Arun Sarin who takes over next month, has signed a contract preventing from being sacked by text message or e-mail.

The company's board will have to send Mr Sarin a fax or resort to paper and ink if they want to dismiss him.

Last month, the personal injury firm The Accident Group sparked controversy by firing many of its 2,500 staff by text message.